Coffin attachment.



No. 649,740 Patented May I5, 1900.

E. MILLER.

CUFFIN ATTACHMENT.

(Application filed Mar. 10, 2900;)

(No Model.)

iK/QfigLE/SSES tw WTOR I 544MB Q, W. m. %ML Ma 0% A TTORNEY.

m: Mom's Pzvzns ca, PHOTO-UTIHOH wnswmcro u p.

N t STAES PATEN FFICE.

ootrm ATTACHMENT.

$PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO; 649,740, dated May 15, 1900.

Application filed March 10, 1900. Serial No. 8,112. (No model.)

To all 2071,0721, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDW'ARD MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vienna Cross Roads, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coffin Attachments, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in an attachment for coffins.

The general object of my invention is to provide an adjustable device through which a body may be placed with its arms projecting through the device, so that movement of the body in the casket is prevented and at the same time the body is prevented from be ing withdrawn from the coffin by ghouls, it being understood that such device is secured to the interior of the casket.

My invention also relates to details of construotion and arrangement hereinafter appearing, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, on which like reference-letters indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a detail perspective view of a coffin or casket, partly in section to facilitate illustration; Fig. 2, a detail enlarged perspective view of my coffin attachment, and Fig. 8 a detail sectional view indicating the manner in which the attachment is secured to the coffin.

I am aware that numerous devices have been employed for maintaining bodies within eoftins or caskets; but in none of them could the shoulders or upper portion of a corpse be held securely in position and in such a manner that ghouls would be unable to remove the body without breaking the holding device.

The letter A represents a pair of metallic bands which are adapted to cross each other, as shown in the drawings, and are secured to each other by means of a rivet B. The ends of these bands are preferably provided with a series of holes or openings 0, so that the space between each of the bands may be made smaller in order that the device may be used for various-sized persons. A locking-wedge I) has a shank E projecting therefrom, such being of less width than the top of the wedge,

thereby forming shoulders II at the upper end of the wedge. The ends of the bands A fit over the shank E and upon the rectangular base G. The wedge D is adapted to pro jeet between spring-clips I and .I,re'speetively, such spring-clips being notched, as shown at K. These spring-clips are secured to the base of the coffin by means of bolts L or in any other suitable manner.

In operation the wedge D is forced between the clips I and J in the notches K. As soon as the shoulders II have passed the clips such clips return to their normal position and e11 gage such shoulders, thereby preventing the withdrawal of the wedge. In practice these clips are substantially hidden by the lining of the coffin, and the bands are preferably placed beneath the clothing, thereby removing from View entirely the holding device.

In practice the bands A are placed upon the body of a corpse in the manner shown in Fig. 1, one band extending over one shoulder and beneath the arm on the opposite side of the body, while the other band extends over the other shoulder and beneath the other arm. Such bands are tightened about the body as much as desired, and the shank E is placed through the proper holes in their ends, when the nut F is screwed upon the shank down upon the bands to hold them in position. The corpse is then dressed, with a suitable opening in the back of the clothing, through which the shank E may pass, such shank being inserted between the spring-clips I and J in the manner above described.

This invention is specially designed for use in connection with coflins which are not burglar-proof, although it may be used in eonnection with high-priced metallic vaults, and will act to retain the corpse in a fixed position, which is of special advantage, particularly when bodies are to be shipped.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to seen re by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an attachment for coffins, the combination with a band having a hole at each end ICQ thereof, a wedge secured to said ends through said holes, said wedge having a shoulder thereon, and means secured to a coffin for engaging with the shoulder of said wedge, whereby the band is secured in position, all substantially as shown and described.

2. In an attachment for coffins, the combination with a pair of bands, of a lockingwedge secured to said bands, means carried by said coffin for engaging with said wedge, all substantially as shown and described.

3. In an attachment for coffins, the co.mbi-.

nation with a pair of bands crossing each other and secured together at such crossing, a locking-wedge secured to said bands, locking means for engaging with said wedge to hold the wedge and bands in position, said locking means being secured to' a coffin, all substantially as shown and described.

4. In an attachment for coffins, the combination with a pair of bands secured together at their centers and crossing each other and having a series of holes at each of their ends, a wedge having a shank projecting therefrom for fitting within a pair of holes in each of said bands, a nut for screwing upon said shank for binding said bands to said wedge, a pair of spring-clips secured to a coffin having a other midway their length and adapted to cross each other, a series of holes in each end of said bands for adjusting the space embraced by said bands, a locking-wedge havinga shank projecting therefrom adapted to pass through a pair of holes in each of said hands, a rectangular base at the lower end of said shank and upon said wedge of less width than the wedge, a locking-nut for binding said bands upon said base, spring-clips mounted adjacent to each other and having notches opposite each other, said clips engaging with the upper edges of said lockingwedge when said wedge is passed between said clips, all substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD MILLER. Witnesses:

B. B. EsTERLINE, IV. M. MoNAIR. 

